Interface air filter and assembly

ABSTRACT

An interface air filter and assembly for use with an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The assembly has a housing having an air intake port and an opening. There is an air filter assembly comprising an air filter having a closed end and an open end and a reducing coupling. The reducing coupling has a first end with a first engaging member having an external circumference and outer surface, a second end with a second engaging member having an external circumference less than the first engaging member external circumference, and the second engaging member has an inner surface. The first end of the reducing coupling is attached to the open end of the air filter. The air filter assembly is in contact with the housing such that the air filter resides within the housing and the outer surface of the first engaging member engages the housing. The inner surface of the second engaging member is adapted to contact an air intake tube outer surface so that air can pass from the air intake port into the housing then through the air filter and into the air intake tube.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to interfaces and housing for an airfilter for use with an internal combustion engine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Historically, the primary task of an air filter has been to reduce theamount of particulate matter that might normally enter into an internalcombustion engine. Even small abrasive particles could cause significantdamage to an internal combustion engine resulting in expensive repairs.

In practice, unfiltered air is directed through the filter, which isoften a material chosen for its ability to capture particles ofparticular range of sizes. The air then exits the filter and is directedinto the engine.

There immerged numerous types of filters. Some were dry filters whileothers used oil to absorb particles. The geometries of the filters alsovaried to increase the surface areas of the filter without impacting thesize of the filter.

However, with all these developments usually the filters were placed inclose proximity to the internal combustion engine. This resulted in theair entering the filter being directed into the engine compartment ofthe vehicle. As the engine gave off heat as a by-product, the intake airbecame hotter than the outside ambient air.

It was discovered that if the intake air were cooler than thetemperature in the engine compartment, then engine efficiency increased.This phenomenon has been credited by many to the application of theideal gas equation.

Per the equation, temperature and volume of a gas are directly related.As the temperature drops the volume of the air decreases resulting in anincrease in the density of the air.

In relation to an internal combustion engine, the increased densityprovides more Oxygen to combine with the hydrocarbon fuel and thereforea more efficient burn.

There arose a number of approaches to reduce the temperature of theintake air. This proved to be a challenge since the filter systems werein such close relation to the engine.

One approach was to separate the air filter assembly from the rest ofthe engine compartment. This is usually done with a barrier such as awall or box type enclosure around the air filter. FIG. 1 shows one suchenclosure. The filter apparatus 10 has a housing 15 and a cover 29 thatencloses a filter. The air is drawn into the housing through the inputopening 20. Once the air is filtered, the air is directed through thehousing to an air inlet tube 25 then to the engine.

This configuration exemplifies a case where there is a channel 23incorporated as part of the cover that focuses the air flow into the airinlet tube 25. Other units interface with the air inlet tube by havingthe tube pass through a wall or barrier of the housing and extendinginto the housing before coming into contact with the air filter. Thesecases are generally less expensive, but also allow for heat transferencethrough the interface between the air inlet tube and the housing.

This approach requires screws 27 and other parts such as a separatedwall to create the enclosure. Furthermore, it is evident that the filtermust be fitted into the enclosure before being sealed with the wall andscrews. This requires time and effort and reduces the efficiency toinstall and maintain the filter system.

FIG. 2 identifies another assembly with another type of housing. Thisfilter assembly 30 has the filter 35 separated from the enginecompartment by a housing 40 that is not completely enclosed as inFIG. 1. While this unit does not require as much work to install andmaintain as the system in FIG. 1, the unit in FIG. 2 is not as efficientin isolating the filter from the heat of the engine. This is due to thepartial enclosure. The hood of the vehicle covers the top of the filterassembly. That contact is not as efficient as a full enclosure.

The configuration also requires the air inlet tube 45 to extend into thehousing and connect with the filter 35. This allows for heat to enterthrough that input point.

Turning to FIG. 3, the air inlet tube 50 connects to the filter 55 byway of a connection point 60. This is a typical configuration for asystem where the air filter is within a housing. Such an arrangementrequires an interface between the air inlet tube and the housing.

The connection between the air inlet tube and the housing is alsoapparent in FIG. 4. In this figure the air inlet tube 65 extends throughthe housing 70. That intersection allows for heat transference. Heatenters the assembly even though the tube 65 is connected 75 to thefilter 80.

Also apparent in each of the figures is that the bends in the tubecreates turbulence, which can reduce the efficiency of the air flow tothe engine.

What is needed is an interface air filter housing that filters ambientair, reduces heat dissipation between the air inlet tube and thehousing, while being simple to install and maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present disclosure, an interface air filter foruse with an internal combustion engine is provided. The interface airfilter has an air filter with a closed end and an open end and areducing coupling. The reducing coupling has a first end with a firstengaging member having an external circumference and outer surface, asecond end with a second engaging member having an externalcircumference less than the first engaging member externalcircumference, and the second engaging member has an inner surface. Thefirst end of the reducing coupling is attached to the open end of theair filter.

The outer surface of the first engaging member is adapted to contact ahousing. The filter would then reside within the housing.

The inner surface of the second engaging member is adapted to contact anair intake tube outer surface so that air can pass through the housingthen through the air filter and into the air intake tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is generally shown by way of reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air filter assembly with an enclosedhousing;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an air filter assembly with an openhousing;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another air filter assembly with an openhousing;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another air filter assembly with an openhousing and having a canister type air filter;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another air filter assembly with variouselements identified; and

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the reducing coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of an interface air filter assembly. Thehousing 85 has an air intake port 90 and an opening 95. In the preferredembodiment the housing is a single piece construction. Other embodimentscan include a housing made of multiple components.

The interface air filter assembly 100 includes air filter media 101 andhas a closed end 105 and an open end 115. In the present embodiment,during operation the air passes in the housing 85 through opening 90,then into the filter assembly 100 through air filter 101.

FIG. 6 illustrates a reducing coupling 110 with a first end 117. Thereducing coupling 110 has a first engaging member 120 with an externalcircumference 121 and an outer surface 123. The outer surface 123 canhave a plurality of circumferential ridges to increase the contacteffectiveness. The second end 125 of the reducing coupling 110 has asecond engaging member 125 having an external circumference 127. Asdepicted in the figure, the external circumference 127 of the secondengaging member is less than the external circumference 121 of the firstengaging member.

The second engaging member 125 has an inner surface 155. The reducingcoupling has a channel 160 that allows air flow.

Turning back to FIG. 5, the first end 115 of the reducing coupling isconnected to the open end 110 of the air filter 101. This can include asingle piece construction where the reducing coupling is permanentlyaffixed to the air filter or multiple pieces that can comprise the airfilter assembly.

In the preferred embodiment, the reducing coupling is made of arelatively flexible material. This can include rubber type materials orurethanes. In other embodiments, the reducing coupling can be comprisedof a combination of more solid materials and relatively flexiblematerials. In one embodiment plastic could be used to connect the firstengaging member to the second engaging member.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a clamp 130 is used to secure the firstengaging member to the housing. As the clamp is applied, the outersurface 123 is securely brought into contact with the housing 85.

A clamp may also be used to secure the second engaging member 125 to anair intake tube.

While a clamp is disclosed as one way to secure the interface air filterto the housing and the air intake tube, other embodiments can includescrews, snaps, or other structures to affect the same result.

In FIG. 6 a cross sectional view of the reducing coupling 110 is shown.An air intake tube 135 has a hollow center 140, a wall 145, and asurface 150. The surface 150 comes into contact with the inner surface155 of the second engaging member 125 of the reducing coupling 110. Theinner surface 155 can have a plurality of circumferential ridges toincrease the contact effectiveness to the surface 150 of the air intaketube 135. The surface 155 can also include other type of surfacetextures to accomplish the same result and to effectuate a more airtight fit with the air intake tube 135.

In the present embodiment, there is a body 165 that connects the secondengaging member 125 and the first engaging member 120. In otherembodiments, the first and second engaging members may be of suchdimensions as to negate the need for a body between the two.

The reducing coupling has an airway 160 so that air can traverse fromthe inside of the filter to the air intake tube. Furthermore, thereducing coupling is not limited to the geometry as depicted. There isalso a body 165 that connects to the air intake tube 135.

While embodiments have been described in detail, it should beappreciated that various modifications and/or variations may be madewithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In thisregard it is important to note that practicing the invention is notlimited to the applications described herein. Many other applicationsand/or alterations may be utilized provided that such other applicationsand/or alterations do not depart from the intended purpose of theinvention. Also, features illustrated or described as part of oneembodiment may be used in another embodiment to provide yet anotherembodiment such that the features are not limited to the embodimentsdescribed herein. Thus, it is intended that the invention cover all suchembodiments and variations. Nothing in this disclosure is intended tolimit the scope of the invention in any way.

What is claimed is:
 1. An interface air filter for use with an internalcombustion engine comprising: an air filter having a closed end and anopen end; a reducing coupling having a first end with a first engagingmember having an external circumference and outer surface, a second endwith a second engaging member having an external circumference less thanthe first engaging member external circumference, and the secondengaging member having an inner surface; and the first engaging memberof the reducing coupling being attached to the open end of the airfilter; wherein the inner surface of the second engaging member isadapted to contact an air intake tube outer surface and the outersurface of the first engaging member is adapted to contact a housing sothat the air filter is within the housing and air can pass through thehousing then through the air filter and into the air intake tube.
 2. Theinterface air filter for use with an internal combustion engine of claim1, further comprising a body connecting the first engaging member withthe second engaging member.
 3. An interface air filter and assembly foruse with an internal combustion engine comprising: a housing having anair intake port and an opening; an interface air filter comprising; anair filter having a closed end and an open end; a reducing couplinghaving a first end with a first engaging member having an externalcircumference and outer surface, a second end with a second engagingmember having an external circumference less than the first engagingmember external circumference, and the second engaging member having aninner surface; and the first end of the reducing coupling attached tothe open end of the air filter; and the air filter residing within thehousing, and the first engaging member being disposed within the housingopening and the first engaging member being in contact with the housingin a substantially air tight manner; wherein the inner surface of thesecond engaging member is adapted to contact an air intake tube outersurface in a substantially airtight manner so that air can pass from theair intake port into the housing then through the air filter and intothe air intake tube.
 4. The interface air filter and assembly for usewith an internal combustion engine of claim 3, wherein a plurality ofcircumferential ridges are dispose on the outer surface of the firstengaging member to engage the housing.
 5. The interface air filter andassembly for use with an internal combustion engine of claim 3, whereinthe inner surface of the second engaging member has a plurality ofcircumferential ridges.
 6. The interface air filter and assembly for usewith an internal combustion engine of claim 3, wherein the housing is amolded single piece structure.
 7. An interface air filter and assemblyfor use with an internal combustion engine comprising: a housing havingan air intake port and an opening; an interface air filter comprising;an air filter having a closed end and an open end; a reducing couplinghaving a first end with a first engaging member having an externalcircumference and outer surface, a second end with a second engagingmember having an external circumference less than the first engagingmember external circumference, and the second engaging member having aninner surface; and the first engaging member of the reducing couplingbeing attached to the open end of the air filter; the air filterresiding within the housing, and the first engaging member beingdisposed within the housing opening and the first engaging member beingin contact with the housing in a substantially air tight manner; andmeans for securing the engaging member to the housing; wherein the innersurface of the second engaging member is adapted to contact an airintake tube outer surface in a substantially airtight manner so that aircan pass from the air intake port into the housing then through the airfilter and into the air intake tube.
 8. The interface air filter andassembly for use with an internal combustion engine of claim 7, whereinthe means for securing the engaging member to the housing is a clamp. 9.An interface air filter for use with an internal combustion enginecomprising: an air filter having a closed end and an open end; areducing coupling having a first engaging end and a second engaging end;the first engaging end being secured to the open end of the air filter;means for securing the first engaging member to a housing; and means forsecuring the second engaging member to an air intake tube.
 10. Areducing coupling for use with an air filter having an open end, airfilter housing, and air intake tube of an internal combustion engine,the reducing coupling comprising: a first engaging member adapted forcoupling to the open end of the air filter, the first engaging memberfurther adapted for coupling to a housing wherein as the first engagingmember is coupled to the housing, the air filter resides within thehousing; and a second engaging member adapted for coupling to an airintake tube; wherein during operation of the engine, air enters thehousing then passes through the filter and reducing coupling, and theninto the air intake tube.